Unclog Pores With At-Home Facial Steaming

Acne? Blackheads? Irritated Skin? These can all be symptoms of clogged pores with dirt and debris. According to Leaf, “acne is a troubling skin condition that is not only painful, but also can be hard on your self-esteem. Acne is the result of clogged pores. If pores become clogged with sebum and skin cells, pimples will form. If you see blackheads and whiteheads on your skin, that is a sure sign that pores are clogged. One way to prevent them, along with cysts or nodules, is to clean clogged pores.”

Facial Steaming Can Unclog These Pores

Romy and the bunnies explains that “Whether you suffer from acne or have blemish-free skin, one of the best ways to cleanse facial pores is to steam your face. The warm steam causes your face to sweat, which opens the pores and helps soften the surface layer of dead skin cells, releasing dirt and debris that could be the cause of breakouts and would otherwise stay trapped… When steam is applied to the face, it softens blackhead plugs, gently releasing them from follicular openings.”

The warm humidity from steaming also stimulates blood circulation. According to Live Strong, “receptors on the skin alert the brain when the ambient temperature rises. In response to rising temperatures, the body initiates a thermoregulating response. As part of that response, blood vessels in the skin dilate so more blood can flow to the skin to let off heat. In addition to letting off heat, blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissue. This increased blood flow in the skin is one of the benefits of using steam on your face.”

3 Easy Ways to Steam Your Face

#1 Facial Steamer

Facial steamers can be bought at a local beauty store or online and can be used with a variety of scents and essential oils. The great thing about a facial steamer is that it has a set timer for just the right amount of steaming for that luxury spa experience at home. Check out these reviews from Amazon!

“I was amazed at what came out of my skin! I am 47 and sick of clogged blackhead pores. Tried scrubs, masks and pore strips but was always left with blackheads. I steamed my face with this and ran one of the beauty tools that came with the steamer over my skin. Then followed up with a cotton pad with toner on it. I was grossed out but amazed at the same time. The cotton pad was black when I was done! I looked in my magnifying mirror and I would say 95% of my blackheads were gone. My skin actually felt tighter and cleaner that it has in a long time.” (Amazon review on NanoSteamer – Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer)

“I loved my little face humidifier. I was instructed by my doctor to look into one to help out with my acne. After looking at reviews of many face humidifiers, I chose this one and I was very glad I did. I have not had any problems with it, still works good. I usually use it right before I apply a peel mask to my face to really open up my pores. I love this little gadget!”(Amazon review on KINGA Nano Ionic Facial Steamer Hot Mist Moisturizing)

#2 Warm towel

Another easy and cost-effective method is to submerge a clean towel in hot water and wring it out and let cool until it is comfortably warm then wrap it around your face. You can add these essential oils to the hot water to receive their numerous benefits for your skin:

Tea tree oil – acts as antioxidant and disinfectant

Clary sage oil – balances skin pH levels

Lavender oil – soothes inflamed pores

Geranium oil – treat acne and inflammation

#3 Steaming Water Bowl

This method is similar to #2. Boil a pot of water and pour into a ceramic or glass bowl. Add your favorite essential oils to the bowl. Then drape a towel over your head and the bowl and bring your face closer to the bowl. Just close enough to get the full effect of the steaming, but not so close that it feels too uncomfortable and hot.

All these methods should be used for a minimum of 5 minutes but no more than 10 minutes.

Once a week should be sufficient for maximum benefits of facial steaming!